Testing apparatus



Feb. 24, 1931. T. BENNINGTON 1,794,100

'rsswme APPARATUS Filed May 13, 1926 2 SheetS-S'heet l Feb. 24, 1931. AE. 1-. BENNINGTON 1,794,100

TESTING APPARATUS Filed May 13, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented F eb. 24,1931 EARL T. BENNINGTON, 0F CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO,

OHIO

ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND CRANE AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF WIOKLIEFE,OHIO, A CORPORATION OE TESTING AEPARATUS Application filed May 18,

This invention relates to a traveling carrier designed toconvey hollowbodies and to supply fluid to the interior thereof for testing or otherpurposes, and more particularly to a carrier adapted for testing hollowbodies for leaks by supplying fluid under pressure to the interiorthereof. The invention, as disclosed herein, is applied to the testingof radiator sections as they come from the molds.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier whichisadapted to convey the hollow articles and which has article supportingand fluid conducting means associated therewith through whichcommunication may be established between the interior of the hollowarticle and fluid conducting means mounted independently of the carrier.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of thecharacter above referred to which is simple in construction, effectivein operation and inexpensive.

lVith the above and other objects in view,

the invention may be said to comprise the de-' vice as illustrated inthe accompanying draw-' ings hereinafter described and particularly setforth in the appended clalms together with such variations andmodifications thereof as will be apparent to one skilled in the art towhich the invention apertains. Reference should be had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the carrier .with

a row of radiator sections suspended there from;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the loaded carrier; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the radiator sections,showing the supporting clamp engaging the upper end of the section andthe sealing clamp n place on the lower end thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a section of anoverhead monorail trackway 1 upon which the supporting wheels 2 of thecarriers travel. This trackway will extend from the casting room or fromany other point from whlch the articles bolt 17 which extends 192 6.seem no.1oa991.

to be tested are obtained and extend past the.

testing station and to a storage room or other point to which the testedarticles are to be taken. The carrier is designed to permit testing ofthearticles without removing them from the carrier so that no additionalhandling of the articles is required in connection with the testingoperation. The carrier is suspended from the supporting wheels 2 bymeans of wheel frames 3 connecting the axles of the supporting wheels tocarrier cross bars 4 which extend across the space between the oppositesides of the main frame member 5 intermediate the ends thereof. Theframe member 5 is a hollow tubular member forming the sides and ends ofthe carrier frame and this tubular member is provided, adjacent one endof the carrier, with an inlet 6 which is provided with a tubularcoupling member 7 which is adapted to be attached to a hose extendingfrom a water main so that water under pressure may be admitted to theinterior of the tubular frame member 5. Along the opposite sides of thecarrier frame, the tubular member 5 is provided with spaced'downwardlyprojecting nipples 8 to which are connected the upper ends of flexibletubular suspension members 9, which are preferably sections of flexiblenected to the suspension member 9 and the jaw 12 is supported upon thejaw 11 by means of a pin 13 which is carried by a lug 14 projectingdownwardly from the upper portion of the jaw 11. The jaw 11, adjacentits lower end, is provided with a pin 15 which is adapted to projectthrough an opening to the interior of the article held by the clamp andthis pin has an axial bore 16 at its outer end which is threaded toreceive a clamping through the jaw 12.

The particular clamp, shown herein, is designed for supporting aradiator section and this radiator section is designated 18 in thedrawing.

The radiator section is provided, in the oppositesides thereof adjacentthe upper end, with aligned openings 19 through which the pin 15 andclamping bolt 17 may extend. The radiator sections are ordinarilyprovided with a second pair of aligned openings, adjacent their oppositeends, as shown at 20 in the drawing. In order to test the radiatorsections for leaks, it is necessary to provide means for admitting fluidunder pressure into the interior of the section through one of theopenings and to seal the other openings so that the fluid cannot escapethrough them. The hollow flexible suspension members 9 communicate withthe interior of the tubular frame member 5 and communication isestablished between the tubular suspension members and the interior ofthe radiator sections through a passage 22 formed in each of theclamping members 11 which are attached to the lower ends of thesuspension members 9, an opening 23 being provided on the inner side ofthe aw 11 which is adapted to register with an opening 19 of theradiator section to permit passage of fluid from the interior of theclamping jaw to the interior of the radiator section. Each clamping jaw12 is provided with a sealing pad 21, upon the inner side thereof, which1s clamped over the opening 19 in the side of the section with which itengages to seal said opening and the jawv 11 is provided, upon the innerside thereof, with an annular sealing pad 24 which surrounds the opening23 and is clamped against the side of the radiator section to preventleakage between the jaw and the radiator section.

A second clamp is provided for sealing the openings 20 at the lower endof each radiator section and this clamp consists of a pair of L-shapedjaws 25 and 26 one of which is provided with a laterally projecting pin27 and the other of which is provided with a slot 28 through which thepin extends. The pin and slot connection permits the jaws to be movedtoward and from each other and also to be swung about the pin 27 as apivot.

, 20 in the opposite sides of the radiator section, the clamp being heldin place on the radiator section by means of a clamping bolt 31 whichextends through the jaws 25 and 26 and through the aligned openings 20,in the radiator section.

In the operation of the device, a carrier with radiator sections to betested is brought along the track 1 to the testing station where theinlet 6 of the tubular frame member may be connected with a water main.When the water enters the tubular member 5, it flows down through theflexible suspension members 9 into the radiator sections 18 to be testedand a leak in any one of the radiator sections will be at once detected/If there is an excessive leak in any radiator section, the flow of waterthereto can be cut off by means of the valve 10 in the nipple 8 fromwhich the leaking radiator section is suspended. The water flowing intothe radiator sections displaces the air therein and to permit the escapeof this air, the tubular frame member 5 is provided, upon the upper sidethereof, with a valve controlled vent 32 which ma be opened as the wateris admitted into the rame memher to allow escape of air while theradiator sections are being filled with water.

The flexible suspension for the individual radiator sections permits anysection, in either row, to be swung outwardly and by giving the radiatorsection a quarter turn after it is swung clear of the adjacent sections,it may be supported in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,entirely outside the remaining sections, the width of the I sectionsbeing such that when so turned, the side of the section which has beenswung out, will bear against the edges of the two adjacent radiatorsections to hold the section clear of the row of suspended radiatorsections. A radiator section may thus be so supported as to render anyportion thereof accessible for repairing a leak. The radiator sections,after they come from the molds, have rough edges or fins along the edgeswhich are ordinarily chipped oflt before or after the testing and thisoperation can be conveniently performed on the radiator section byswinging them out one at a time and supporting them clear of theremaining sections. To facilitate operations oh the sections at thetesting station, a rigid partition wall 33 is provided to prevent thesections suspended from one side of the carrier from coming into contactwith those suspended from the opposite side of the carrier. After theradiator sections have been tested and the desired finishing operationshave been performed, the loaded carrier may be propelled along theoverhead trackway 1 to the storage space or other unloading station.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a traveling carrier forhollow articles, said carrier havin a hollow member provided with aninlet a apted to be detachably connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, and means on the carrier for supporting ahollow article, said means also establishing communication between theinterior of the hollow member and the interior of a hollow articlesupported by the carrier.

2. In a device of the character described, a traveling carrier having ahollow member provided with an inlet adapted to be detachably connectedto a fluid conduit mounted independently of the carrier, and a hoseconnected at one end to said hollow member and having means at itsopposite end for detachably securing the same to a hollow article, saidhose forming the means for supporting said article from said carrier.

3. In a device of the character described, a traveling carrier forhollow articles, said carrier having a hollow member provided with aninlet adapted to be detachably connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, and a series of branch conduits connectedat one end to said hollow member, each of said branch conduits having atits opposite end means for detachably connecting the same to one of thehollow articles, each of said branch conduits forming the means forsupporting said article from said carrier.

4. In a device of the character described, a traveling carrier forhollow articles, said carrier having a hollow member provided with aninlet adapted to be detachably connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, a series of branch conduits connected atone end of said hollow member, each of said branch conduits having atits opposite end means for detachably connecting the same to one of thehollow articles, each of said branch conduits forming the means forsupporting said article from said carrier and a valve for controllingthe flow of fluid through each branch conduit.

5. In a device of the character described, a carrier for hollow articlesadapted to travel along an overhead trackway, said carrier having afluid conduit adapted to be detachably connected with a fluid conduitmounted independently of the carrier, and means for connecting saidfirst named conduit with the interior of a hollow article, said meanssupportingthe hollow article.

6. In a device of the character described, a carrier for hollow articlesadapted to travel along an overhead trackway, said carrier having afluid conduit adapted to be detachably connected with a fluid conduitmounted 1ndependently of the carrier, and means for connecting'saidfirst named conduit with the interior of a hollow article, to supportthe latter, said conduit being provided with a valve for cutting off theflow of fluid therethrough.

7. In a device of the character described, a carrier adapted to travelalong an overhead carrier for hollow articles, said trackway and havinga hollow frame member provided with means for connecting the interiorthereof with fluid conducting means mounted independently of thecarrier, and means for suspending a hollow article from said framemember and for establishing communication between the interior of theframe melmber and the interior of the hollow artic e.

8. In a device of the character described, a traveling carrier forhollow articles, said carrier having a hollow member provided with aninlet adapted to be detachably connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, a hose connected at one end to said hollowmember and at its opposite end for detachably securing the same to ahollow article to establish communicationbetween the interior thereofand the interior of the hollow member, and a valve for controlling theflow of fluid through the 9. In a device of the character described, atraveling carrier for hollow articles, said carrier having a hollowmember provided with an inlet adapted to be detachably connected to afluid conduit mounted independently of the carrier, and a hollowflexible suspension member attached at its upper end to the hollow framemember and communicating with the interior thereof, said hollow flexiblemember having means at its lower end for supporting a hollow article andfor establishing communication between the interior of said hollowarticle and the interior of the hollow flexible member.

10. In a device of the character described, acarrier adapted to travelalong an overhead trackway and having a tubular frame member providedwith an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, a series of hollow flexible suspensionmembers attached to the frame member and communicating with the interiorthereof, and means at the lower end of each suspension member forsupporting a hollow article, said supporting means having a passage bywhich communication is established between the suspension member and theinterior of the hollow articles.

11. In a device of the character described, a carrier adapted to travelalong an overhead trackway and having a tubular frame memberprovided-with an inlet adapted to be con nected to a fluid conduitmounted independently of the carrier, a series of hollow flexiblesuspension members attached to the frame member and communicating withthe interior thereof, means at the lower end of each suspension memberfor supporting a hollow article, said supporting means having a passageby which communication is established between the suspension member andthe interior of the hollow article, and means forv having means i,

cutting off the flow of fluid through any one of the suspension members.

12. In a device of the character described, a carrier adapted totravelalong an overhead trackway and having a tubularframe member providedwith an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, a series of hollow flexible sus ensionmembers attached to the frame mem er and communicating with the interiorthereof, and a pair of clamping members at the lower end of eachsuspension member between which a hollow article may be clamped, one ofsaid clamping members having a passage establishing communicationbetween the tubular suspension member and the interior of the hollowarticle.

13. In a device of the character described, a carrier adapted to travelalong an overhead trackway and having a tubular frame member providedwith an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid conduit mountedindependently of the carrier, a series of hollow flexible suspensionmembers attached tothe frame member and communicating with the interiorthereof, a air of clamping members at the lower end 0? each suspensionmember between which a hollow article may be clamped, one of saidclamping members hav ing a passage establishing communicationbetween-the tubular suspension member and the interior of thehollowarticle, and a valve controlling the flow through each of the suspensionmembers.

14. In a device of the character described, a carrier adapted to travelalong an overhead trackway and having a tubular frame mem her havinglongitudinally extending portions on opposite sides of the carrier andprovided with an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid conduitmounted independently of the carrier, a series of hollow flexiblesuspension members attached to each side portion of the frame member andcommunicating with the interior thereof. and means at the lower end ofeach suspension member for supporting a hollow article, said supportingmeans having a passage by which communication is established between thesuspension member and the interior of the hollow article.

15. Testing apparatus comprising a traveling carrier for hollow articlesto be tested, said carrier having thereon a conduit adapted to bedetachably connected with a water main and with the interior of anarticle to be tested, and means for venting air from said conduit.

16. Testing apparatus comprising a carrier adapted to travel along anoverhead trackway and having a tubular frame member provided with aninlet adapted to be detachably connected to a water mam, a hollowflexible suspension member connected at its upper end to said framemember and in communication with the interior thereof, means at thelower end of said suspension member for clamping a hollow article to betested and for establishing communication between the interior of thehollow article and the interior of the suspension member, and means forventing air from the interior of said hollow member.

17. Testing apparatus comprising a carrier adapted to travel along anoverhead trackway and havin a tubular frame member provided with aninlet adapted to be detachably connected to a water main, a hollowflexible suspension member connected at its upper end to said framemember and in communication with the interior thereof, means at thelower end of said suspension member for clamping a hollow article to betested and for establishing communication between the interior of thehollow article and the interior of the suspension member, means forventing air from the interior of said hollow member, and a valvecontrolling the flow of water through the suspension member.

18. Apparatus for testing radiators comprising a carrier. adapted totravel along an overhead trackway, said carrier having a tubular framemember extending longitudinally thereof, said tubular frame memberhaving an inlet adapted to be detachably connected to a Water main and aseries of spaced nipples projecting from the underside thereof, aflexible tube connected at its upper end to each nipple, and a clampconnected to the lower end of each flexible tube, said clamp having jawsadapted to engage opposite apertured sides of a radiator section, one ofsaid jaws being adapted to close the aperture in the side which itengages and the other jaw having a passageway therethrough communicatingat one end with the tube and at its other with the aperture in theradiator section.

19. Apparatus for testing radiators comprising a carrier adapted totravel along an overhead trackway, said carrier having a tubular framemember extending longitudinally thereof, said tubular frame memberhaving an inlet adapted to be detachably connected to a water main and aseries of spaced nipples projecting from the underside thereof, aflexible tube connected at its upper end to each nipple, a clampconnected to the lower end of each flexible tube, said clamp having jawsadapted to engage opposite apertured sides of 'a radiator section, oneof said jaws being adapted to close the aperture in the side which itengages and the other jaw having a passageway therethrough communicatingat one end with the tube and at its other with the aperture in theradiator section, and a second clamp having jaws adapted to closeapertures in the sides of the radiator section adjacent its lower end.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

EARL T. BENNINGTON.

